Water treatment device with volumetric and time monitoring features

ABSTRACT

A totalization meter system for a water treatment device, the device having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and a channel for channeling water between the inlet and outlet apertures. A flow reactive device is positioned in the channel and is exposed to the flowing water, and a signal generating member is positioned on the flow reactive device. A switch is positioned proximately to the flow reactive device, and is sensitive to the proximity of the signal generating member. The switch is able to communicate electric signals indicative of the motion of the signal generating member. A resettable processor having a performance threshold programmed therein and an output device is included. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the switch for receiving electrical signals from the switch. The switch is capable of sensing the characteristics of the flow reactive device and communicates electrical signals representative of the characteristics to the microcontroller. The microcontroller interprets the signals as a first performance data. The microcontroller compares the first performance data against the respective performance threshold in the microcontroller to determine if the performance threshold has been surpassed, and if surpassed actuates the output device.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/907,683, filed Aug. 8, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,426, andentitled "Water Treatment Device with Volumetric and rime MonitoringFeatures," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to water treatment devices, and more particularlyrelates to new and improved monitoring devices for determining thestatus of a replaceable filter cartridge in a water treatment device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Faucet-attachment types of water filters have become a viable commercialproduct, possibly by reason of the fact that they do not require changesin plumbing to allow their use in the home or similar environment.Typically, the water treatment devices attach to the outlet of a faucetin the kitchen sink and include valving to permit flow of eitherunfiltered or filtered water, the water to be filtered flowing through areplaceable cartridge mounted upon one portion of the water filter.

Information regarding the condition of a replaceable filter cartridge ina water treatment device is helpful in order to know how much of itsuseful life remains. Typically, replaceable cartridge elements forfaucet-attached water treatment devices are rated for the number ofgallons that can be treated, or for a time duration of use (e.g., anumber of months of service). A typical filter cartridge is rated forabout 200 gallons of flow, or three months, whichever occurs first.However, if the consumer cannot easily determine when 200 gallons havepassed through the cartridge, or when the time duration lapses, it isvery difficult to replace the filter cartridge at the proper time. It ishighly desirable to provide an indication to the user when the filtercartridge is fit for consumption, and an indication of when the filtercartridge should be replaced.

Missing in the art is an end-of-faucet filter having adequate anddesirable flow and time monitoring features to alert the user that thefilter media is nearly depleted, requires replacement, and reminds theuser to flush the filter cartridge at the appropriate times. It is withthese shortcomings in the existing art that the present invention wasdeveloped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A faucet-attached water treatment device includes a totalizer metersystem to sum the volume of water passing through the device and thetime since the filter cartridge was installed, and to warn the user ofeither approaching maximum filter cartridge capacity based on flow, orwhen time-based milestones have been reached. The totalization systemincludes multiple visual signals to the user to indicate when the filtercartridge is usable, when the cartridge has reached approximately 90% ofits capacity, and when 100% capacity is reached. Significant functionsof the totalization meter system include:

1. Indicating to the user that the treatment capacity of the filtercartridge has been reached.

2. Indicating to the user that a predetermined percentage of the totaltreatment capacity of the filter cartridge has been reached. This servesas a warning of the approaching end of cartridge capacity and providesthe user adequate time to purchase a new replacement cartridge.

3. Indicating to the user that the dispensed water is acceptable toconsume by way of a steady operating signal.

4. Reminding the user to adequately flush the filter cartridge beforeeach use.

5. Reminding the user to adequately flush the filter cartridge uponinstallation of a new replacement cartridge.

According to the present invention, a totalization meter system for awater treatment device is described, the device having an inlet apertureand an outlet aperture, and a channel for channeling water between theinlet and outlet apertures. A flow reactive device is positioned in thechannel and is exposed to the flowing water, and a signal generatingmember is positioned on the flow reactive device. A switch is positionedproximately to the flow reactive device, and is sensitive to theproximity of the signal generating member. The switch is able tocommunicate electric signals indicative of the motion of the signalgenerating member. A resettable processor, such as a microcontroller, isalso included, having performance thresholds programmed therein, and anoutput device. The microcontroller is in electrical communication withthe switch for receiving electrical signals from the switch. The switchis capable of sensing the characteristics of the flow reactive deviceand communicates electrical signals representative of thecharacteristics to the microcontroller. The microcontroller interpretsthe signals as a first performance data, the microcontroller also havinga time counter for totaling the time lapse since the microcontroller waslast reset. The microcontroller interprets the time lapse as a secondperformance data, and the microcontroller compares the first performancedata and the second performance data against the respective performancethresholds in the microcontroller to determine if the performancethreshold has been surpassed, and when surpassed actuates the outputdevice.

In more detail, the flow-reactive device is a turbine, and the signalgenerating member is a magnet element. The magnetic element is integralwith the turbine and is sensed by a stationary sensor which counts totalturbine revolutions. The revolution count is proportional to the volumeof water passing through the device. The sensor may be a reed switch, orother means of sensing the field produced by the passing of a magneticor field-producing element.

The microcontroller is used to count and store the rotations of theturbine, among its many functions. It also tracks the time durationsince the last time the microcontroller was reset, normally during theinstallation of the current filter cartridge.

In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller signals a yellowlight-emitting diode (LED) as a warning of the approaching end of theuseful life of the filter cartridge. In the case where the filtercartridge is rated for 200 gallons or 90 days, the yellow LED emits asignal after 80 gallons of flow, or approximately 81 days. At thispoint, the consumer should be planning to replace the cartridge, butwill have another 20 gallons, or approximately 9 days, of capacity left.A red LED signal after the passage of 200 gallons, or 90 days, indicatesto the user that the cartridge should be replaced immediately. When thecartridge is in the useful portion of its life prior to the yellow orred signals, a green signal is given to inform the user that the treatedwater is acceptable for consumption.

Further advantages offered by the design include means to continuallyreinforce to the user the need to flush replacement cartridges uponinstallation and prior to each use. In the case of a new cartridgeinstallation, the fresh cartridge is to undergo a two minute water flushperiod to rid the cartridge of entrapped air and activated carbon fines.The air bubbles and fine particulates in the first water cause the waterto be cloudy and therefore undesirable. This invention featuressignaling means informing the user to wait for the two minute flushperiod by way of flashing a cautionary yellow LED for the duration ofthe two minute period. Once in service, the cartridge is to be flushedby the user for three seconds at the start of each use, reminding theuser of the need to discard at least one filter cartridge unit volume ofwater. This water tends to be warm from sitting in the device, and isless palatable than the freshly filtered water that follows. Thisinvention features signaling means informing the user to wait for thethree second flush period by way of delaying the positive green LED forthe duration of the three second flush period.

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and its scope canbe obtained from understanding the accompanying drawings, which arebriefly summarized below, the following detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention, and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water treatment device incorporatingthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the water treatment device incorporating thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the water treatment device incorporating thepresent invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C are an enlarged exploded view of the water treatment deviceincorporating the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a representational section view of the valve in the bypassposition.

FIG. 7 is a section taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a section taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a section taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a representation partial section of the battery clips asshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a section taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a representational partial section similar to FIG. 10,wherein the battery is removed from the clips.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the battery clips as shown inFIG. 4B.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of the meter system.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart indicating the operation of the meter system.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the flow sensor and themicrocontroller of the meter system.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe battery clips as shown in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the turbine.

FIG. 19 is a section taken along lines 19--19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged representational partial section of the secondvertical channel and the surrounding structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an end-of-faucet water treatment device20 is shown which incorporates the water flow and time totalizationmeter system of the present invention. The water treatment device has areplaceable filter which is embodied in a mechanical and/or adsorptivefilter cartridge for reducing undesirable contaminants from potablewater supplies. The particular embodiment of the water treatment devicedescribed herein is attached to the end of a kitchen sink faucet 22, andis more typically known as an end-of-faucet (EOF) filter. Thetotalization meter system sums the volume of flow through the filtercartridge using a rotating turbine, as well as the total time since themeter system was reset.

The water treatment device includes a main body 24 defining a firstnon-filtered bypass flow path 26 (FIG. 6), and a second filtered flowpath 28 (FIG. 7). The main body is attached to a water source, such asfaucet 22, and defines a bypass outlet 30 and a filtered outlet 32. Themeter system and a filter cartridge are located in the main body in-linewith the second filtered flow path 28. A valve 34 is included in themain body 24 and is actuable to control the flow of the water betweenthe first 26 and second 28 flow paths. When the bypass 26 flow path isselected, the water flows from the faucet 22 directly to the bypassoutlet 30 and does not flow through the filter cartridge. When thefiltered flow path 28 is selected, the water flows from the faucet 22,into the main body 24, through the filter cartridge, through thetotalization system, and to the filtered outlet 32.

The meter system 36 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4A-C, 5,8 and 9, collects data pertaining to the total volume of water flowingthrough the filter cartridge 38, and the total time since the metersystem was last reset or activated. The total volume of water flowingthrough the meter system 36 and the total time since the system was lastactivated are both indicative of the remaining life of the replaceablefilter cartridge 38. This performance or status data is accumulated bythe meter system 36 and output to the user through an output device 40to indicate to the user the functional status of the filter cartridge38. There are different stages of output information provided to theuser by the meter system, which are described in greater detail below.

In greater detail, the water treatment device is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3and 4A-C. The water treatment device includes a main body 24 having anupright portion 42 and a laterally extending portion 44 attached to thebottom of the upright portion. The laterally extending portion 44includes an inlet aperture 46 for receiving water from the water source,attachment structure 48 associated with the inlet aperture 46 forconnecting the water treatment device 20 to the water source, such asthe standard faucet 22, a valve 34 for directing the water along thefirst 26 or second 28 flow paths, and the bypass outlet aperture 30.

The upright portion 42 of the main body 24 forms, as best shown in FIGS.7, 8 and 9, a vertically oriented chamber 50 which includes a topportion 52 for receiving the replaceable filter cartridge 38, a middleportion 54 for receiving the meter system 36, and a bottom portion 56and the filtered outlet aperture 32. As shown in FIG. 4A-C, the mainbody 24 is generally formed by a skeletal housing structure 58 havingupright 60 and laterally 62 extending portions, analogous to the mainbody 24, and external shroud members, including the base 64, lowerportion 66, riser 68 and cap 70. The skeletal housing structure 58contains, supports, and positions the filter cartridge 38 and metersystem 36, while the external shroud members 64, 66, 68 and 70 mainlyprovide the desired aesthetic look.

The top of the upright portion 60 of the skeletal structure 58 isexternally threaded to receive the internal threads of the top portion70 of the housing shroud. Once the base 64 of the housing shroud ispositioned underneath the skeletal structure 58, the lower portion 66 ofthe housing shroud is slid over the skeletal structure 58 to engage thebase 64 of the shroud and enclose much of the skeletal structure 58. Thebase 64 and the lower portion 66 of the shroud are held in placetogether by a beveled latch mechanism 72. The riser portion 68 of theshroud is then slid over the skeletal structure 58 to engage the lowerportion 66. Finally, the cap 70 is threadedly received by the skeletalstructure 58 to secure the lower portion 66 and the riser portion 68 onthe skeletal structure 58.

The inlet aperture structure 48, bypass outlet aperture structure 30,and valve 34 structure are best shown in FIGS. 4A-C, 6 and 7. The inletaperture 48 structure allows the water treatment device to releasablyattach to the end of a standard faucet 22. The lateral extending portion62 of the skeletal structure 58 and the lower portion 66 of the shroudboth define apertures for aligned orientation, which together form theinlet aperture 46. The aperture 72 on the lateral extending portion 62of the skeletal structure 58 includes an externally threaded collar 74which extends upwardly through the aperture in the shroud. An insertbushing 76 is sealingly mated with a washer 78 in the collar 74 to aninterior annular shoulder formed around the aperture in the skeletalstructure 58. The insert bushing 76 has a radially outwardly extendingflange, and internal threading terminating in a radially internallyextending flange. The internal threading on the bushing 76 receives theexternal threading on the faucet 22 to attach the water treatment devicethereto. The end of the faucet butts against the internally radiallyextending flange in the bushing 76 and is sealed therein with a washer77. An internally threaded retaining nut 80 engages the outwardlyextending radial flange on the bushing 76, and threadedly engages theexternal threads on the collar 74 to clamp the bushing 76 and the restof the assembly together in a watertight manner.

The outlet aperture includes a filter screen assembly 84, and retainingnut 86. The retaining nut 86 threadedly attaches to an externallythreaded collar 88 extending from the bypass aperture 30 on thelaterally extending portion 62 of the skeletal structure 58. The collar88 extends downwardly through the outlet aperture 90 formed in the baseportion 64 of the shroud. The retaining nut 86 positions the washer andfilter screen assembly in the bypass outlet aperture 30.

The valve 34 inserts into a longitudinal bore 92 formed in the lateralextension 62 of the skeletal structure 58, and when assembled thereindirects the water to the first flow path 26 to bypass the filtercartridge 38, or directs the water to the second flow path 28 andthrough the filter cartridge 38. The valve 34 includes a generallyfrustoconically shaped stem 94 terminating in a T-handle 96. An externalshroud portion 98 fits over the T-handle 96 to match the other parts ofthe external shroud. An annular groove 100 is formed between theT-handle 96 and the stem 94, creating a section having a reduceddiameter.

Two distinct groove structures, each leading to a different flow path,are formed on the stem 94. The first groove structure 102, which is partof the first flow path 26, is formed just below the inlet aperture andacross the width of the stem 94, as shown in FIG. 6. The first groovestructure 102 allows the water to flow directly from the inlet aperture62 through to the outlet aperture 30. When the valve 34 is actuated forthe first flow path, the T-handle 96 is positioned to be flush, or inline with, the lateral extension 62 of the skeletal structure 58, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 6.

The second groove structure 104, which is part of the second flow path28, is formed just below the inlet aperture 46 and along the length ofthe stem 94 to open into the bore 92 formed in the lateral extension 62of the skeletal structure 58. The second groove structure 104 is thebeginning of the second, or filtered, flow path 28, which is describedin more detail below. The two groove structures 102 and 104 are formedin the stem 94 offset at 90 degrees from one another. When the valve 34is actuated for the second flow path 28, the T-handle is positioned tobe transverse to the lateral extension 62 of the skeletal structure 58,as shown in FIG. 7.

The stem 94 is rotatably received in the bore 92, and is axiallymaintained therein by the edges of the external shroud (lower 66 andbottom 64 portions) inserted into the annular groove 100 formed betweenthe T-handle 96 and the stem 94. The appropriate water-tight seals(O-rings) are positioned on the stem 94 to inhibit water flow past thestem, or between the first 102 and second 104 groove structures.

The second, or filtered, flow path 28 generally runs from the inletaperture 46, past the valve 34 in the second position, through thesecond groove structure 104, and into the bore formed in the laterallyextending portion of the skeletal structure, as shown in FIG. 7. Fromthis point, as shown in FIG. 7, the second flow path continues into thebase of the upright portion 60 of the skeletal structure 58 and up intothe filter cartridge 38. The second flow path continues from the filtercartridge 38 down through the meter system 36 and out the filteredoutlet aperture 32 (FIGS. 8 and 9).

In greater detail, the second flow path runs through several differentcomponents in the skeletal housing structure 58. The second flow pathruns from the bore 92, through a tunnel 93 formed under the bottom edgeof the upright portion 60 of the skeletal structure 58, up through afirst vertically oriented channel 108 through the meter case 106, asshown in FIG. 7. The filter cartridge is positioned above the meter case106 and rests on a plurality of supports 107 extending upwardly from themeter case 106. The inlet port 110 of the filter cartridge 38 is influid communication with the outlet 112 of the first vertical orientedchannel 108 formed through the meter case 106. The second flow path 28continues through the filter cartridge 38 to the outlet port 114 of thefilter cartridge 38, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the outlet port 114 of the filter cartridge38 is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture 116 of the secondvertical channel 118 formed through the meter case 106. The meter system36 is partially positioned in the second vertical channel 118, which hasan outlet aperture 120 in fluid communication with the outlet, orfiltered water, outlet aperture 32 for the second flow path 28.

The filter cartridge 38 can be made of any type of filter material thatis normally used in this type of product. The flow path through thefilter cartridge 38 is not crucial to the working of this invention aslong as the flow path terminates in an outlet port 114 formed in thefilter cartridge 38. A preferable filter cartridge type is fibrousactivated carbon block, manufactured by Fibredyne Corporation of Dover,N.H. In the filter cartridge 38 set forth in this embodiment, the waterflows radially through the filter cartridge 38 to a central cylindricalvoid, where the water falls under the force of gravity and pressure tothe bottom of the filter cartridge and out the outlet port 114, as shownin FIG. 7.

The meter case 106 defines an internal cavity 122 which houses the metersystem 36 of the present invention. The meter case 106 also forms twolegs of the second flow path 28: the first vertically oriented channel108 to carry fluid to the inlet port 110 of the filter cartridge 38, andthe second vertically oriented channel 118 to carry fluid from theoutlet port 114 of the filter cartridge 38, past the meter system 36, tothe filtered outlet 32. The two legs of the second flow path are formedthrough the cavity 122 of the meter case 106, but do not allow fluid topass into the cavity 122 itself. The meter case 106 engages the base 124of the skeletal structure 58. The meter case 106 has a top surface 128and a continuous side wall 130 attached around the perimeter of the topsurface 128 and extending downwardly. The meter case 106 fits in theupright portion 60 of the skeletal structure 58, engaging the base 124around the circumference of the bottom edge 132 of the sidewall 130. Thefilter cartridge 38 sits on the top of the meter case 106.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the first vertical channel 108 of the secondflow path 28 formed through the cavity 122 is defined by a tube 134extending upwardly from the base 124 to sealingly mate with anappropriately positioned aperture formed in the top surface 128 of themeter case 106. The aperture in the meter case 106 is formed at the topof a short section 136 extending upwardly and downwardly from the metercase 106. The tube 134 inserts into the bottom end of the short section136 and engages a seal (such as an O-ring) to form a water-tightconnection. A grommet 138 is inserted into the aperture from the top ofthe short section 136 to engage a seal (such as an O-ring) inconjunction with the sidewalls of the inlet port 110 of the filtercartridge 38 to complete the water tight connection. The water thusflows through the tunnel 93, through the tube 134, past the seals,through the grommet 138 and into the inlet port 110 of the filtercartridge 38.

The second vertical channel 118 of the second flow path 28 formed in themeter case 106 extends through the meter case 106 in line with theoutlet port 114 of the filter cartridge 38, as best seen in FIGS. 8 and9. The outlet aperture 120 is formed in the base 124, and acorresponding aperture is formed in the meter case 106. The apertureformed in the meter case 106 is formed at the top of a short section 140extending upwardly and downwardly from the meter case 106. A grommet 139is inserted into the aperture from the top of the short section 140, anda seal is formed between the outer surface of the short section 140 anda cylindrical flange 142 extending downwardly from around the outletport 110 of the filter cartridge 38, such as by an O-ring.

A turbine housing 144 extends upwardly around the outlet aperture 120 inthe base 124, and defines opposing v-shaped axle-brackets 146, eachhaving open top ends for rotatably supporting the cylindrical axle ends147 extending from the turbine 148 therein, as described in greaterdetail below. A flow conditioner 150 is positioned between the inletaperture in the cover 126 and the top of the turbine housing 144. Theflow conditioner 150 includes a planar base 152 for engaging the topedge of the turbine housing 144, and an upwardly extending collar 154for insertion into the section 140 extending downwardly from around theaperture formed in the cover 126. A seal is formed (such as by an0-ring) between the flow conditioner 150 and the cover 126. A rim 154extends downwardly from the planar base 152 of the flow condition 150 tobe received just inside the top edge of the turbine housing 144. Twoprongs 156 extend downwardly from the rim 154 of the flow conditioner150 and terminate adjacent the axle brackets 146 when the flowconditioner 150 is in engagement with the turbine housing 144. Theprongs 156 retain the turbine 148 in the axle brackets 146 and keep theturbine 148 from becoming misaligned. An oval aperture 158 is formed inthe planar base 152 inside the collar for directing the fluid flow ontothe proper portion of the turbine to affect rotation. The water flowingfrom the outlet port 114 of the filter cartridge 38 thus flows throughthe grommet 139, through the aperture in the meter case 106, through theflow conditioner 150, through the turbine housing 144, past the metersystem 36, and out the outlet aperture 32.

The battery 160 for powering the meter system 36 is suspended in thecavity 122 of the cassette 106 from the top surface 128 of the cover126, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 8, 10 and 12. The battery is preferably aCR2032 three-volt watch-type battery which is expected to operate forapproximately 2 years when incorporated with the meter system of thepresent invention. A battery holder 162 supports the battery 160 in avertically oriented position through a slot 164 formed in the cover 126of the cassette 106. The battery holder 162 has a top member 166 forforming a seal to the top surface 128 of the cover 126, a grip portion168 for providing a location to grasp the holder 162 to remove thebattery 160 from the cassette 106, and a downwardly depending seat 170which holds the battery 160 vertically. The seat 170 has acircumferential rim to securely engage the outer periphery of thebattery 160, and has open sides to allow contact with both sides of thebattery 160.

A pair of contact clips 172, 174 automatically engage the battery 160through the open sides in the holder 162 to provide and carry electricalpower to the meter system 36. The contact clips 172, 174 are positionedin the cassette 106 adjacent to the position of the battery 160 suchthat when the battery is inserted (FIG. 10), one clip 172, 174 contactseach side of the battery 160. When the battery 160 is removed, the clips172, 174 extend to contact each other (FIG. 12). Each clip 172, 174, asshown in FIGS. 8, 10-13, is a single length of wire having opposing endsand a centrally formed D-shaped spring contact 176, 178. The D-shapedspring contact 176, 178 extends from the top inwardly and downwardly toa free end. The bend in the wire at the top creates the spring biasforce to bias each spring contact 176, 178 inwardly to engage the otherspring contact in the absence of the battery 160. The removal of thebattery 160 causes the spring contacts 176, 178 to engage one anotherand reset the meter system 36, as described in greater detail below.

An alternative embodiment of the battery contact clips 172a and 174a areshown in FIG. 17. These contact clips are formed of sheet metal and havebasically same shape and function as the above-described contact clips172 and 174. The contact clips 172a and 174a are held in place byfasteners, such as screws, which attach through the ends of the eachcontact clip into the meter case 106. As shown in FIGS. 4B, 7, 8 and 9the meter case 106 also includes a port 180 into which the output device40 (such as an LED) of the meter system 36 is inserted when the metercase 106 is positioned on the base 124. The port 180 is positioned nextto a lens 182 positioned in the riser portion 68 of the shroud. The LEDextends out of the port adjacent to the base of the lens. The lens isinserted to fit through an aperture 183 formed in the side wall of theshroud and a corresponding aperture in upright portion 60 of theskeletal structure. The base of the lens extends into the uprightportion of the skeletal structure to terminate adjacent to the positionof the LED extending through the port. The lens is preferably made ofpolycarbonate thermoplastic resin, or other light-transmissive material.When the LED is actuated by the meter system 36, the light emittedtherefrom luminesces the lens 182. In this way the user can see theactuation of the output device 40 to inform the user of the performancestatus of the filter member measured by the meter system.

The meter system 36, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 7, 8 and 9, is contained inpart in the cavity 122 formed in the meter case 106, in conjunction withthe turbine 148 positioned in the flow stream in the turbine housing144. The meter system 36 includes the rotatable turbine positioned inthe flow stream, a sensor 184 and microcontroller 186, and an outputdevice 40. The sensor 184, microcontroller 186 and output device 40 areall positioned on a circuit board 188 that fits into the cassette 106,and are electrically connected to the battery 160. The meter system 36performs two basic record keeping functions. First, the meter system 36counts the time from when the meter system was last reset. The metersystem 36 is reset by removing and reinserting the battery. When thebattery 160 is removed from the holder 162, the clips 172, 174 engageand reset the microcontroller 186 and the counters used therein.

Second, the meter system 36 calculates the total flow of water throughthe filter cartridge 38 by monitoring the movement of the turbine 148.As described below, the turbine turns a known number of times per unitvolume of water flowing past the turbine. Both of these functions areperformed simultaneously, by the sensor 184 and microcontroller 186, asdescribed in greater detail below.

The turbine 148, or flow reactive device, is rotatably positioned in theturbine housing 144, and has a signal generating member 190 mountedthereto. Preferably, the turbine is Generally an elongated cylinderhaving radially extending turbine blades 192 formed along the length ofthe cylinder, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. One blade 192 of the turbine148 has a magnetic rod 190 positioned in its tip, the rod extendingalong the length of the blade 192. The turbine blades 192 opposite theone having the magnetic rod 190 are designed to have greater mass(greater blade thickness dimension) in order to counterbalance theadditional weight of the magnetic rod. In particular, the turbine 148has eight equally spaced blades, and the three blades opposite the bladewith the magnetic rod positioned therein are thicker than the otherblades. This feature is important since the turbine rotates at arelatively high frequency, and any imbalance in the rotational inertiawould prove detrimental to the performance of the meter system 36, aswell as the structural integrity of the turbine and the axle brackets146. There are other means of balancing the turbine 148, such as placinga counter weight in an opposing blade, or other location, to obtain thedesired counter-balance function.

The turbine 148 is positioned under the aperture 158 in the flowconditioner 150. Preferably, the aperture 158 is over an outer portionof the fins 192 of the turbine 148 so that the water flow impactspredominantly one side of the turbine 148 to cause it to turn in onedirection only (counterclockwise in FIG. 9). The turbine 148 of thepresently disclosed embodiment is approximately 3/8 inches long, 0.5inches in diameter, with a fin length of approximately 1/8 inches. Thisturbine 148 rotates approximately 6140 times per gallon of water thatflows through the second vertically oriented channel. The error of theturbine rotation per gallon of water is <15%, and depends upon flow rateof the fluid. It is contemplated that the specific design of the turbinecould be modified, which would change the relationship between thenumber of rotations and gallons of flow.

The sensor 184 and microcontroller 186 are formed of electricalcomponents interconnected on a circuit board 188, which is positioned inthe cavity 122 formed by the cassette 106, out of the flow of the water.The sensor 184, such as a reed switch or hall-effect sensor, ispositioned near the turbine housing 144 and adjacent to the turbine 148.The sensor is inside the cavity, while the turbine 148 is in the secondvertically oriented channel 118, with the wall of the turbine housing144 positioned therebetween. The sensor and microcontroller assembly isthus maintained in a relatively dry condition to minimize thedetrimental effects of the water on the performance of the meter system36.

The operation of the sensor 184 and microcontroller 186 is shown inFIGS. 14, 15 and 16. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of the sensorand microcontroller, and shows a microcontroller 186 having a flowcounter 194, a time counter 196, a sleep/wake timer 198, anage/totalizer module 200, and an output module 202. The flow counter 194is responsive to the external flow sensor 184 and counts the number ofrotations of the turbine 148 during operation of the water treatmentdevice 20. The time counter 196 is responsive to the sleep/wake timer198 to periodically count real time increments. The age/totalizer module200, responsive to the flow counter 194 and the time counter 196,calculates the total amount of time which water is passed through thefilter cartridge 38 of the water treatment device 20, as well the totalamount of fluid passed through the filter cartridge 38. The outputmodule 202 is used to control the output device 40 to provide the properuser information as previously described. The values from the flowcounter 194 and the time counter are maintained in the microcontroller186 until the battery 160 is removed and reinserted to reset themicrocontroller.

The sleep/wake timer 198 cycles the microcontroller 186 between alow-power sleep state and a wake state. In the sleep state, themicrocontroller enters its lowest power operation mode and awaits thewake mode, thereby reducing the microcontroller's power consumption fromthe battery 160 (i.e., to 3 micro-amps or less). In the wake mode, themicrocontroller 186 resumes normal operation and measures any waterflow, updates the time counter 196, and performs various calculations,described below.

The flow sensor 184 can sense, through the wall of the turbine housing144, the movement of the magnetic rod 190 as it rotates, thus generatinga signal indicative of the number of, and the frequency of, therotations of the turbine 148 as it is driven by the water flowingthrough the second flow path 28. The flow sensor 184 sends the signalcontaining this information to the flow counter 194, which records thetotal flow past the turbine 148, and thus through the filter cartridge38. The flow sensor 194 generates and sends a signal containing theturbine rotation information to the age/totalizer module 200, whichconverts the rotation information to total flow information via a knownrotation-to-flow relationship, known as the first performance data. Thisinformation is used for several purposes, including for comparisonagainst the respective threshold data in the programmed controller.

Concurrently, to the operation of the flow counter 194, the timer 198operates according to the flow chart in FIG. 15 to control the timecounter 196, which tracks the elapsed time since the meter system wasreset or started (by pulling and replacing the battery). This total timerecorded and stored by the time counter 196 is translated into a signal,which is sent to the age/totalizer module 200, and is the secondperformance data. The age/totalizer module 200 compares the data in thesignals received from the flow counter 194 and the time counter 196, anddetermines the status of the filter cartridge 38 against thepre-programmed threshold requirements. Based on the status of the filtercartridge 38, the output device 40 is actuated accordingly to transmitthe information to the user.

The microcontroller is pre-programmed to include threshold data levelsfor total time elapsed, and total flow, since resetting themicrocontroller. There may be several sets of threshold requirementspre-programmed into the microcontroller for different output signals.

The following is one example of several sets of threshold requirements.Where the cartridge is rated for 200 gallons or 90 days, themicrocontroller is programmed to: 1) actuate the output device 40 toblink green (acceptable signal) when the filter cartridge 38 is lessthan or equal to 90% "used," as determined by flow volume (180 gallons)or time (81 days); 2) delay actuation (delay signal) of the outputdevice per 1) above for 3 seconds each time the turbine 148 transitionsfrom resting state to a rotating state; 3) actuate the output device 40to blink yellow (flush signal) for 2 minutes where the meter system 36has just previously been reset and the turbine 148 transitions from aresting stated to a rotating state; 4) actuate the output device 40 toblink yellow (caution signal) when the filter cartridge is greater than90% "used" and less than 100% "used," as determined by either flowvolume (180+ gallons) or time (81+ days); and 5) actuate the outputdevice 40 to blink red (terminate signal) when the filter cartridge 38is 100% "used" or more, as determined by either flow volume (200gallons) or time (90 days). The microcontroller is pre-programmedaccording to the above information to include the appropriate thresholdrequirements for comparison to the flow and time data for the properoutput signal. The above threshold requirements have been found to bedesirable from a utilitarian and commercial perspective. It iscontemplated that other threshold requirements can be programmed intothe microcontroller.

The flow counter 194 and the time counter 196 provide this informationto the age/totalizer module 200 to compare against the appropriateperformance threshold data programmed in the microcontroller todetermine the proper status for the output device 40.

In general, a meter system 36 for a water treatment device 20 isdescribed, the device having an inlet aperture 46 and an outlet aperture32, and a flow path 28 for channeling water between the inlet 46 andoutlet 32 apertures. A flow reactive device 148, such as a turbine orpaddle wheel, is positioned in the path 28 and exposed to the flowingwater, and a signal generating member 190, such as a magnetic member, ispositioned on the flow reactive device 148. A sensor 184 or switch, suchas a reed switch, is positioned proximately to the flow reactive device148, and is sensitive to the proximity of the signal generating member190. The sensor 184 is able to communicate electric signals indicativeof the motion of the signal generating member 190.

The resettable microcontroller has at least one performance thresholdprogrammed therein. The performance threshold could be the total flow orthe total time allowed for the filter cartridge 38 in the particularwater treatment device 20. The microcontroller 186 is in electricalcommunication with the sensor 184 for receiving electrical signals fromthe sensor 184. The sensor 184 is capable of sensing the characteristicsof the flow reactive device 148 and communicates electrical signalsrepresentative of these characteristics to the microcontroller 186. Themicrocontroller 186 interprets the signals as a first performance data,the microcontroller also having a time counter 196 for totaling the timelapse since the microcontroller was last reset. The microcontrollerinterprets the time lapse as a second performance data, and themicrocontroller compares the first performance data and the secondperformance data against the respective performance threshold todetermine if the performance threshold has been surpassed by either thefirst or second performance data. If the respective threshold data wassurpassed, the microcontroller 186 actuates the output device 40 todisplay to the user the status of the cartridge filter in the watertreatment device 20.

In a further embodiment, there is a set of first and second (90% timeand flow limits) and a set of third and fourth (100% time and flowlimits) performance thresholds programmed into the microcontroller 186,each set having their own respective output signals. The microcontrollercompares the first performance data (flow) and the second performancedata (time) against the set of first and second performance thresholds,and against the set of third and fourth performance thresholds todetermine which set of thresholds has been surpassed. If either set ofperformance thresholds have been surpassed by either the first or secondperformance data, the microcontroller actuates the output device 40 todisplay the respective output signal.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the operation of the microcontroller 186 incontrolling and sequencing the operation of the meter system 36 as shownin the functional block diagram of FIG. 14. The method starts with theStart Reset or Wake 204 operation, and moves to the Wake or Reset?decisional operation 206. If the status here is reset, then move to theInitialize Variables 208 operation and perform the Sleep for 1 Secondoperation 210. The Sleep for 1 Second Operation 210 loops back to theStart Reset or Wake Operation 204.

If at the Wake or Reset? Decisional 206 and the status is wake, thenmove to the Update Time Counter operation 212 (which starts the tollingof the time since the last reset of the meter). Then move to Check FlowSensor 214. If no flow at the flow decisional 216, then move to theSleep for 1 Second operation 218, which is interruptible and loops backto the Start Reset or Wake operation 204. In other words, if there is noflow, then simply update the counter to track cumulative time. Anydecisions by the microcontroller 186 based on this data would be basedon the time the device has been active. In other words, if there is noflow, then the microcontroller 186 would use the elapsed time to compareto the thresholds and actuate the output device 40 accordingly.

If at the Check Flow Sensor 214 and there is flow at the flow decisional216 as indicated by the rotation of the turbine as sensed by the sensor(i.e., reed switch), then move to the Calculate Color and Light LED 220.operation. Next, the Check Flow for 0.1 Second 222 operation isperformed, and then the Turn Off LED 224 operation is performed (causingLED to flash during use). Check Flow for 0.1 Second operation 226 isthen performed again and looped 9 times 228, at which point, when done,the Update Time Counter 230 operation is performed. The flow decisional232 is then attained, and if no flow, Sleep for 1 Second operation 234is performed, which if interrupted goes back to the initial Start Resetor Wake Operation 204. If there is flow, then loop back to the CalculateColor and Light LED 220 and begin this leg of the flow chart over again.

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of theelectrical components of the meter system. The microcontroller 100 hasan oscillator input (OSC1), a master clear (MCLR) input which resets theprocessor, and configurable input/output pins shown as IO1, IO2, IO3,and IO4. An 8-bit microcontroller model PIC 16C54 from the MicrochipCompany can be used for microcontroller 186.

As previously described, the battery 160 establishes the power supplyfor the processor 186 when placed across the contact clips 172. Astandard filtering capacitor is placed in parallel with the battery 160to minimize ripples in the supply voltage. The oscillator input OSC1 ofmicrocontroller 186 is biased with a resistor and capacitor to establisha known and reliable clock cycle which is used to derive the time basefrom which the calculations are made within microcontroller 186.

Microcontroller 186 is resettable when the MCLR pin (active low) is setlow. As previously described, contact clips 172, 174 are spring loadedsuch that when battery 162 is removed, the contact clips connect theMCLR pin to ground, thereby resetting the processor and the valuesstored therein, but not the threshold data stored therein.

Sensor 184 (switch), which closes in response to magnetic member 190, isconnected to two bi-directional configurable input/output pins IO1 andIO2. In one embodiment of the invention, the IO2 pin is configured as aninput pin and the IO1 pin is configured as an output pin. When themicrocontroller 186 seeks to determine whether switch 184 is opened orclosed, a logic high signal is placed on the IO1 pin, and the logiclevel present on the IO2 pin is read by the microcontroller 186. If thelogic level on the IO2 pin is low, then switch 184 is closed;conversely, if the logic level on the IO2 pin is high, switch 184 isopened. Since the IO1 pin is a reconfigurable input/output pin, the highlogic level output at pin IO1 is released by the microcontroller whenthe microcontroller is not reading the state of switch 184. In thismanner, the amount of power consumed when reading switch 184 is reduced.

Input/output pins IO3 and IO4 are both configured as output pins todrive the output device 40, such as LED 236. LED 236 can consist of acombination of LEDs to provide the appropriate output signals, orcolors, as needed.

While FIG. 16 shows a microcontroller 186 and associated circuitry forimplementing the operations and functions described herein, it isunderstood that equivalent microcontrollers, microprocessors,controllers, processors, discrete logic, real time counters or otherelectronic counting devices and associated circuitry could also be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

In operation, with the water treatment device 40 attached to the end ofa faucet 22, the meter system 36 is reset or initialized by removing andreinserting the battery 160. This is accomplished by grasping the gripportion 168 of the holder 162 and removing the holder from the slot 164in the top of the cassette 106. When the battery 160 is removed, thespring contacts 176, 178 touch one another and reset the totalizersystem to an initial condition.

Once the battery 160 is re-inserted (or replaced with a new battery),the meter system 36 initiates two counter functions for simultaneousoperation in the meter system: 1) the total flow counter and 2) the timecounter. The total flow counter is driven by the amount of water passingthe turbine 148, determining the number of rotations of the turbine 148.The number of rotations of the turbine is sensed by the sensor 184 andis accumulated and converted in the meter system 36 into total gallons.The time counter starts once the battery is re-inserted, with the lapsedtime since re-insertion being stored and accumulated in the meter system36.

The meter system 36 is programmed to output certain signals through theoutput device 40 depending on the status of the total flow or total timeas measured. The system beneficially alerts the user to the status ofthe filter cartridge performance in the filter unit to provideinformation on when to change the filter cartridge, or on when to planon purchasing a new filter cartridge to replace an existing filtercartridge soon to expire.

In the embodiment described herein, the meter system can preferablyprovide the following information:

1. Activate a first signal (e.g. blink green) through the output device40 when the filter cartridge 38 is within the flow and time limits (i.e.less than 90% flow or use thresholds).

2. Activate a second signal (e.g. blink yellow) through the outputdevice 40 when 90% of the total flow of the filter cartridge 38 is used,or when 90% of the total time has lapsed, whichever occurs first;

3. Activate a third signal (e.g. blink red) through the output device 40when 100% of the total flow of the filter cartridge 38 is used, or when100% of the total time has lapsed, whichever occurs first;

4. Delay activation of all signals through the output device 40 for apredetermined time (e.g. for 3 seconds) when the filter cartridge 38 iswithin flow and time limits at the initiation of each use.

5. Activate a fourth signal (e.g. blink yellow) through the outputdevice 40 when the filter cartridge 38 is new to indicate a flushperiod.

A presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and many ofits improvements have been described with a degree of particularity. Itshould be understood that this description has been made by way ofexample, and that the invention is defined by the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water treatment device for attachment to theend of a faucet to filter water flowing from the faucet, said watertreatment device comprising:a housing defining an upright portion and aportion extending laterally from the bottom of the upright portion; aninlet formed in the top of said laterally extending portion configuredto attach to the faucet; a bypass outlet formed in the bottom of saidlaterally extending portion; a filtered outlet formed in the bottom ofthe upright portion; a non-filtered bypass flow path defined in fluidcommunication between said inlet and said bypass outlet; a filteredflow-path defined in fluid communication between said inlet and saidfiltered outlets; a valve attached to said laterally extending portionand selectively positionable to direct water flow either through saidnon-filtered bypass flow path or said filtered flow-path; a filterpositioned in said upright portion, and in the filtered flow-path tofilter said water flowing through said filtered flow-path; a metersystem positioned in a bottom region of said upright portion and belowsaid filter, in said filtered flow-path, to meter the water flowingthrough said filtered flow-path; and said filtered flow-path extendingin a first leg laterally from said inlet in said laterally extendingportion and into said bottom region of said upright housing adjacentsaid meter system, and turning to extend upwardly adjacent said metersystem to direct water to said filter said filtered flow-path continuingthrough said filter and extending in a second leg downwardly from saidfilter through said bottom portion of said housing adjacent said metersystem to said filtered outlet.
 2. A water treatment device as definedin claim 1, wherein said filtered flow-path turns upwardly at a positionspaced away from a wall of said housing.
 3. A water treatment device asdefined in claim 1, whereinsaid filtered flow path from adjacent saidmeter system to said filter turns to extend substantially verticallyupwardly; and said filtered flow-path adjacent said meter system fromsaid filter extends substantially vertically downwardly to said filteredoutlet.
 4. A water treatment device as defined in claim 1, wherein saidfilter is encased in a filter housing to form a filter cartridge havinga bottom end, and an inlet port and an outlet port formed in said bottomend of said filter housing, said inlet port positioned in said bottomend at a location spaced radially outwardly from said outlet port toengage said first leg and second leg of said filtered flow-path,respectively.
 5. A water treatment device as defined in claim 1,wherein:said filter is cylindrical and defines an outer wall and acentral cylindrical bore, and is encased in a filter housing to form afilter cartridge having a bottom end; an inlet port is formed in saidbottom end of said filter housing to engage said first leg of saidfiltered flow-path; an outlet port is formed in said bottom end of saidfilter housing in communication with said central bore and to engagesaid first leg of said filtered flow-path; an annular space is formedbetween said filter and said filter housing; and wherein water flowinginto said inlet of said filter cartridge is directed to fill saidannular space and flow through said filter to said central bore, andfrom said central bore through said outlet port of said filter housingto said filtered outlet.
 6. The water treatment device as defined inclaim 5, wherein the water flowing through said filter flows in asubstantially radial direction toward said central bore.
 7. The watertreatment device as defined in claim 1, wherein said meter systemcomprises:a flow reactive device positioned in the filtered flow pathand exposed to the flowing water, said flow reactive device producing aspatially varying signal in reaction to water flow; a sensor coupled tothe flow reactive device, and being sensitive to the proximity of thespatially varying signal of the flow reactive device, the switchgenerating a flow signal corresponding to water flowing in filteredflow-path; an output device having two output signals; and a controller,including a threshold value, coupled to receive and accumulate the flowsignal, the controller activating the output device to show the firstoutput signal when said accumulated flow is flow said threshold value,and said controller activating output device to show the second outputsignal when the accumulated flow signal exceeds the threshold.